Makeup design process

For this task, I have been asked to show the process of creating my hair and makeup designs, from the first basic plan, to my developed final idea.

Makeup designs

Initial design – basic stage makeup

As shown of this face template, stage makeup consists of dark colours, and dramatic highlighting and contour. This helps to accentuate certain features, and make it easier for an audience to interpret a characters personality from a distance.

Here, I have created a face chart of a very basic stage makeup, and have annotated it to explain why each product is used in the way that it is.

To develop my ideas, I will be discussing factors, such as lighting and costume, with the performer I am working with, so I can create a more personal design.

Developed design (1)

Here is my first developed face chart. In this design, I built upon the initial design by changing some colours to make it ore personal to my performer.

This design is very similar to the initial design, however I have changed the colours on the eyes, to more red-toned browns, and have added a lighter shimmer to the lid.

I also added a ‘beauty spot’ on to this design.

Developed design (2)

Here is another developed idea.

In this face chart, I explore how brighter colours, such as blues and pinks, can be co-operated in to a theatre makeup design.

Neutral colours are often favoured in theatre as you can easily create depth and definition with colours such as brown and black – and they are dark so can easily be seen from a distance.

However, as explained in my annotations, as long as darker shades of these colours are used to shade and highlight the needed areas, using bright colours can be beneficial, especially when trying to convey a characters personality.

Final design

After many discussions with my performer and the show’s director, this is the final design I created.

When talking with the performer I discovered this performance didn’t have a specific story line, or any overly characterised actors, but rather was an event for each performer to show case their individual talents. This also meant that they performers had no certain costumes, they were just wearing black outfits.

Because of this, and the fact that the performance is in a smaller theatre (where the audience is very close to the stage), rather than a large auditorium, the director asked us to create a more natural theatre makeup. She asked for the key elements ( a dark base, defined lips and dramatic eyes) to still be included, but wanted the contour and highlighting to be more toned down – as it would look silly for an audience that were so close to the action.

Although she asked for dramatic eye shadow, the director also asked for us to tone down the makeup under the eyes (to not have such thick liner underneath). Therefore, I created much thinner eye liner on the lower lid – but still included it to help ensure the eye makeup stood out, as my performer wears glasses.

Therefore, I created a design that still included very strong and defined eyes, bright red lips, and a dark base and contour. However, I blended the contour in to the base makeup more seamlessly, rather than having such sharp lines.

Hair designs:

Hair design (1)

Here is a reference photo for one of the designs I think would be suitable for my performer.

This hair style is created by placing the hair in a pony tail, then creating 3 braids within the pony tail and twisting them around each other.

A bun would be perfect for my performer as it would help keep the hair put of her face while preforming – a bun is usually the first choice for dancers because of this reason.

Hair design (2)

Here is another reference photo, of a second hair style that i think would be great for my performer.

I think a slick back pony tail would be great, as my performer doesn’t do much dancing in the show – therefore would not need all of her hair fully tied back (in to a bun).

My performer also has long, thick hair, therefore a pony tail might be more suitable, as it would not be as heavy on her head – making it more comfortable for her and also making it less likely to fall out or loosen when performing.